Digital Thread Data Element Mapping for Physical Components
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems for designing and manufacturing physical components fail to digitize information effectively, leading to inefficiencies and human errors due to the high percentage of non-digital and unstructured data, which hinders the improvement of the component lifecycle.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing a computer processor and storage medium to access and manipulate data element instance objects, creating digital threads by connecting data elements across different functions and data vessels, allowing for efficient data flow, removal of unnecessary data, and addition of needed data elements, thereby improving the design, testing, and manufacturing processes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If information is stored in non-digital and unstructured formats, then data storage flexibility is maintained, but data accessibility and transmission efficiency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments information into standardized data elements with defined schemas, allowing each element to be independently structured and managed. This segmentation enables systematic organization of previously unstructured data while maintaining flexibility through modular data element definitions that can be customized for different component types.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms data from unstructured formats into structured digital formats by changing the state of data representation. This parameter change from unstructured to structured format enables automated processing, efficient transmission, and improved accessibility while maintaining adaptability through configurable data element schemas.
2Productivity
If data transmission between lifecycle functions is increased, then component improvement is enhanced, but process complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal data element framework that serves multiple functions across different lifecycle stages. The same structured data element schema is used for design, manufacturing, testing, and maintenance functions, enabling seamless data transmission without requiring function-specific data formats. This universality reduces transmission complexity while improving productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a data element mapping and analysis system that acts as an intermediary between different lifecycle functions. This intermediary automatically transforms and translates data between functions, reducing the complexity of direct point-to-point data transmission while enabling comprehensive information flow across all lifecycle stages.
3Speed
If digital data connection is implemented, then data transmission speed is improved, but implementation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary structuring of data elements before transmission occurs. By pre-defining data schemas and structures during the design phase, the system eliminates the need for complex real-time data transformation during transmission. This preliminary action simplifies the digitization process while maintaining high transmission speeds.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates standardized digital copies of component information that can be replicated and transmitted across the lifecycle. These standardized data element copies maintain fidelity to the original information while enabling efficient digital transmission. The copying approach reduces implementation complexity by using consistent templates rather than customizing data structures for each transmission.
4Reliability
If human examination of lifecycle is used, then data accuracy is maintained, but time consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements automated feedback mechanisms through data element validation rules and consistency checks that verify data accuracy without human intervention. The system automatically detects errors, validates data integrity, and provides feedback for corrections, maintaining high reliability while eliminating time-consuming manual examination. The feedback loop ensures data accuracy through systematic automated verification.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for improving a physical component may include a processor configured to (1) access a first data storage that may include a plurality of function data objects or a plurality of data vessel data objects that may include references to each other; (2) iterate over the plurality of data vessel data objects, and for each data vessel data object, generate one or more data element instance data objects; (3) select a subset of the plurality of data element instance data objects that include the same data element identifier; (4) order the subset of the data element instance data objects based their respective one or more references to one or more other data element instance data objects; and (5) store the ordered subset of the data element instance data objects in a second data storage as a digital thread.